# rectal vs rectum

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### rectal
*adjective · IPA /ˈrɛk.təl/ · frequency rank #32,996*
Of, via or related to the rectum.

### rectum
*noun · IPA /ˈɹɛktəm/ · frequency rank #30,561*
The terminal part of the large intestine through which feces pass after exiting the colon, but before leaving the body through the anus or cloaca.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rectal-vs-rectum